County commissioner running for Centennial school board

Thursday

Charley Martin is vying for one of two seats up for election this year in the school district's Region 1.

After many years as a Bucks County commissioner, Charley Martin is ready to give up that full-time job, but not elected office.

Deciding not to seek another term as commissioner, Martin, 77, is instead running for Centennial school board in the district's Region 1. Incumbent Mark B. Miller and challenger Edward Monastra are also running for the two seats up for election this year in the region in Tuesday's primary.

"I believe my experience in serving at the township and county level will be helpful in examining budgets and looking for efficiencies," Martin wrote in an email. "It (experience) can also be helpful in petitioning state officials on issues related to public education. I will have time to devote to these issues."

Martin has been a county commissioner since 1995 and before that served for 12 years as an Upper Southampton supervisor.

Miller, running for a fourth four-year term, said he welcomes the challenge.

"I am enthusiastic at the prospect of sitting on the same board of school directors as someone like Charley Martin who brings an extraordinary amount of experience in service to constituents," he said.

Miller added that his work on the board "is not finished yet, especially at the state and federal levels, where we are finally gaining some ground on important issues like charter/cyber charter schools, funding in general and funding for special education."

Monastra could not be reached for comment.

There are also contested races in Regions 2 and 3. Incumbents Andrew Pollock, the board president, and Steven Adams are vying with challengers Patti Crossan and Jon Panofsky for two seats in Region 2.

In Region 3, incumbent Charles Kleinschmidt is running against Shelley Eilenberg for one open seat. All candidates have cross-filed to run in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Here's a look at other races for school board seats in districts on Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties:

Central Bucks

Incumbent Karen Smith is running against Robert Woodruff for one seat in Region 1.

Smith wrote in an email that she is proud of the board's many accomplishments while she has been a member, including "hiring a new superintendent (John Kopicki) who is student focused and accessible to all stakeholders; approving a new technology curriculum called QUEST for our elementary schools; a one-to-one laptop initiative for all secondary students; additional Advanced Placement classes and returning letter grades to elementary school report cards."

"While we have made significant accomplishments in my first term, in my second term I hope to provide more pathways for our students and their unique learning styles," Smith added. "By pathways, I mean internships and other out-of-the-classroom experiences, opportunities to work and additional options to obtain post-secondary training or a college degree."

In responses submitted for this news organization's Voters Guide, Woodruff said achieving balance among different issues at work in the school district is critical.

"We must simultaneously address competing interests of taxpayer, student, parent, teacher and administrator and deliver first-rank education in a safe, affirmative environment," he said. "I commit to focus on outcomes for students as my first priority."

There are also contested races in the district's Regions 2 and 3. Sarah Arva Grosik is running against Dana Hunter for one seat in Region 2, and Malcolm Burgess is vying with Leigh Vlasblom for one seat in Region 3.

All candidates have cross-filed.

Council Rock

There are contested races in Region 4 (Northampton), where Karl Fetzer is challenging incumbent Joe Hidalgo for one open seat, and Region 9 (Wrightstown and a small part of Newtown Township), where incumbent Kristin Marcell is being challenged by Mary Jane Heil for one open seat.

In considering her priorities if she continues on the board, Marcell said in her Voters Guide responses that "one of the greatest challenges we face is funding to support top-tier educational experiences, improved technology and security needs. I will use my business experience (she is director of content marketing at Law School Admission Council) to scrutinize budgets and ensure that every dollar furthers those goals."

Added Heil in her Voters Guide responses: "Quality education in a fiscally responsible manner requires ongoing attention to prepare students for college and careers. A safe and secure learning environment is paramount. A collaborative approach utilizing data analysis drives the process."

"Unfunded mandates are a major issue," Bill said in her Voters Guide responses. "For instance, we spend close to $33 million on special education but receive less than $5 million from the state. Residents need to contact their representative to vote for an increase to the district."

"The state and federal governments continue to add requirements of public schools yet fail to adequately fund them," she said for the voters guide. "This means that burden falls on the local taxpayer."

Brahan wrote in an email he wants to continue on the board and advance the positive direction the district is taking.

"I believe transparency is key on any school board for the residents of their community," he wrote. "That is something that was important to me when I was appointed (to replace Aaron Richardson) and I believe we have done our best and will continue to do our best to be as transparent as possible."

One of the reasons Harkins is running is that he believes his background in electrical engineering and job with a defense and aerospace contractor involves skills that can translate to the board, he wrote in an email.

"Managing a product line and being a technical specialist with several demanding customers has given me the experience to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy, efficiency and fiscal responsibility," he wrote. "I also enjoy helping my community and an opportunity to continue to serve in that added capacity would be wonderful. I am aware of the challenges that the position brings and have zero reservation about rolling up my proverbial sleeves and getting to work."

Moore and Kelly could not be reached for comment. All the candidates have cross-filed.

Neshaminy

The contested race is in Region 2, where incumbents Bob Feather and Adam Kovitz are vying with challenger Paul Saraullo for two seats.

Kovitz said for the Voters Guide that the biggest issue facing the district is the "impact of higher costs of teacher pensions on our yearly budget and its impact on educational programs, pressure to outsource more and raise taxes."

In an email, Saraullo wrote that he "wanted to get involved because my kids have benefited greatly from the teachers and staff during their time in the district. I want to ensure that the same great quality education and care of our children does not diminish moving forward."

Feather could not be reached for comment.

Palisades

There are contested races in Regions 1 and 2.

In Region 1, Eric Gretzinger and Silvia LeBlanc are running for one seat while in Region 2, incumbent David Haubert is being challenged by Rachel Cozze and Shari Vandergast for two open seats.

All candidates are cross-filed except Gretzinger, who filed only on the Republican side.

Quakertown Community

A race for Region 2's two open seats features incumbent Jonathan Kern being challenged by Leo Bernabei, Dell James and Chris Spear.

In Region 1, incumbent Dwight Anderson takes on Victoria Isabel Gonzalez for one open seat. Region 3 has incumbent Ronald Jackson facing challengers Brian Reimers and Charles Shermer in the fight for two seats.

All candidates have cross-filed except Anderson and Kern, who are running only on the Republican side.

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